Your options when it comes to outdoor dining on Greenwood Lake

Latitude 41 Lounge and Restaurant in Hewitt is one of many options when it comes to outdoor dining on Greenwood Lake.

Situated half in New Jersey and half in New York, the village-like setting of Greenwood Lake, N.Y., offers adventure, fun, and relaxation. It has been historically known as a resort community and playground for celebrities – Cecil B. deMille, Babe Ruth, the Jeter family, and others in the arts and sports.

A few of the many highlights at Greenwood Lake include a seaplane area on the lake, an airport just south of the lake that has a runway long enough to handle small jets, shopping, a few large marinas and lakeside restaurants with docks that feature casual and upscale restaurants.

The lake itself is a 7.3-mile-long stretch of water, with both sandy and rocky shores, lined with houses and private docks. In the village is a half-mile commercial strip on the main drag, Windermere Avenue, and small neighborhoods.

In warmer temperatures guests can enjoy the lake and outdoor scenery with outdoor dining. Also, the lakeside location allows guests to dock their boats just outside. A few restaurants offer outdoor dining.

At Emerald Point Restaurant and Marina located on Sterling Road in Greenwood Lake, customers may enjoy a meal inside in the dining room or dine a little less formally outdoors in the restaurant’s gazebo bar, on the spacious outdoor deck, or under the awning that shelters part of the deck.

The restaurant and bar are open seven days a week. Featured items include black angus steaks, chops, seafood, fresh fish of the day, live lobster and crab tank, pasta, burgers, sandwiches and specialty appetizers.

For those who enjoy a lighter meal, choose from one of Emerald Point’s gourmet salads. The restaurant also offers daily dinner specials.

"We love Breezy Point Inn. It’s a nice place to sit outside and have a drink and enjoy the lake. They have a dock if you want to come in off your boat. German food is pretty good, but they also have regular pub food, too," said Koren Montalbano of Ringwood.

"The Breezy," as it’s often referred to, is open seven days a week for both lunch and dinner. Brunch is served Sundays. Diners can choose to eat inside or outside on the Breezy’s outdoor deck.

Daily lunch and dinner specials are offered in addition to the Breezy’s regular menu, which includes well-known German dishes such as sauerbraten and wiener schnitzel.

Dine inside by the fireplace or outside on the old-fashioned veranda at Murphy’s Tavern and Restaurant. Murphy’s Tavern is located on Windermere Avenue in Greenwood Lake. It features an American-Irish menu designed to have broad appeal.

Murphy’s serves lunch and dinner daily, plus breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. From tavern fare like wings, chili, and steamed or half-shell clams to such deli favorites as turkey or roast beef clubs, corned beef reubens, and old-fashioned open faced sandwiches, Murphy’s aims to please.

The lineup also includes soups, salads, burgers and pizza. Still, if you’ve got a romantic dinner or family celebration in mind, head straight for the entrees for steaks, chops, baby back ribs, and twin lobster tails.

At about halfway down the lake, enter West Milford. Soon you will drive over the Wanaque River, the sole outlet of the lake.

Latitude 41 Lounge and Restaurant located in the Hewitt section of West Milford allows customers to eat-in or enjoy some time outside on a new patio.

Open Wednesday through Sunday, the chef has brought California style cuisine to Greenwood Lake.

Check its website for specials and entree selections. Also offered: a daily soup, sliders, meat, seafood and pasta specials.